Ignition device for internal-combustion engines



W. GRUNOW.

IGNITION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED .IULY 21,1919.

1,38%791, Pamnted June 7, 1921 3 SHEETSSHEET I.

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wjwwm I- w. GRUNOW. IGNITION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21.1919.

1 380 79? Patentedlhne 7,1921.

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W. GRUNOW.

IGNITION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, I919.

gg 'yg Patented June 7, 1921 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- UNHTE sure am r151.

WILLIAM GRUNOW, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SPLITDORF ELECTRI-CAL COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

IGNITION DEVICE FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

manner.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June Z, 1921.

Application filed July 21, 1919. Serial No. 312,172.

. New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inIgnition Devices for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the followingis a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and tothe figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in ignitiondevices, and more particularly to an ignition device having a fixed anda movable electrode to which ourrent is supplied by a magneto generator.

An object of the invention is to provide an ignition device of the abovecharacter which includes an operating sleeve mounted on the movableelectrode as a bearing, which sleeve is provided with an arm adapted tooscillate the armature and to actuate the movable electrode to separatethe electrodes in proper timing with the maximum current generation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ignition device ofthe above character having a spring encircling the sleeve on the movableelectrode, which spring performs the double function of holding theelectrodes closed and moving the arm for actuating the armature and themovable electrode- A still further object of the invention is to providean ignition device of the above character wherein said sleeve isprovided with an arm adapted to cooperate with a buffer spring servingas an abutment for the main actuating spring so as to keep theelectrodes and wherein said arm is extended so that the sleeve may beactuated by hand for producing a spark.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ignition device havinga fixed and a movable electrode and a magneto generator with asupporting means therefor, including a bracket on which the electrodesare mounted, also the actuating mechanism and bufier spring, and asecond bracket on which the generator alone is mounted.

Still another object of the invention -is to provide a device of theabove character wherein the brackets are rovided with cooperatingdevices for positioning one bracket relative tothe other, and commonmeans is provided for securing the two brackets to the engine cylinder.

These and other objects will in part be obvlous and will in part behereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings, which show by way of illustration one embodiment of theinvenion Figure 1 is a view, partly in side elevation and partly insection, showing an ignition dev ce embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section, of the same;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in section, withthe generator removed; and

Fig. 4 is a detail showing the connection between the actuating arm andthe fork on the armature of the magneto generator.

In my prior application, Serial No. 288,- 152, filed April 7, 1919, Ihave shown and described an ignition device for internal combustionengines consisting of a fixed and a movable electrode, and a magnetogenerator for supplying current therefor, wherein the electrodes aremounted on one bracket and the magneto generator is mounted on anotherbracket, and these brackets are so constructed that, when placedtogether or assembled on the engine, they will be held in pre-determinedrelation to each other.

The present invention is directed to an improvement in the arrangementof the actuating mechanism and the bracket parts shown in saidapplication, and particularly to the mounting of the actuating devicefor the electrodes and the armature of the magneto generator. Thebracket carrying the electrodes has an inwardly projecting hearing whichsupports the movable electrode and said movable electrode projectsbeyond the outer face of the bracket, and freely mounted thereon as abearing is a sleeve. This sleeve is provided with a depending arm whichcarries a pin on which is mounted a sleeve, square in cross section,adapted to engage the forked end of an arm carried by the armature ofthe magneto generator so that the arm of the armature will be moved insynchronism with the movements of the sleeve on the electrode.Surrounding said sleeve is a main spring in which power is stored foractuating the armature. This spring is connected at one end to themovable electrode, and the other end of the spring is connected on thearm on the sleeve and said arm is adapted to bear against a bufferspring which is of greater tension than the tension of the main springwhen the parts are normally at rest so that the main spring will holdthe electrodes closed. 0n said sleeve is a trip arm which is adapted tobe engaged by a push rod of the usual construction and which operatesto'put said main spring under greater tension for storing power therein,and said push rod releases said sleeve at a pre-determined point in thestroke of the piston of the engine so that the return of the sleevethrough the influence of the spring will operate the armature, com ressthe buffer spring, and also operate the movable electrode.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the invention is embodied inan ignition device which includes a magneto generator, indicated at G, afixed electrode, indicated at 1, and a movable electrode, indicated at2.

These electrodes are provided with the usual contact points. Theelectrodes are mounted in a bracket, indicated at 3 in the drawings. Themagneto generator is mounted on a bracket, indicated at 4. in thedrawings. The bracket 3 is provided with an inwardly projecting portion5. The movable electrode is carried by a shaft 16 which is journaled insaid bracket 3 and the projecting portion 5 thereof. The projectingportion forms a durable support for the shaft 6 carrying the electrode2. Said shaft 6 extends to some distance in front of the bracket 3.

On the extreme outer end of the shaft is a collar"7 carrying anarm 8.Said collar is fixed to the shaft by means of a pin 9 which passes throuh the collar and through the end of the sTraft. Freely mounted on theshaft 6 and between the collar 7 thereon and the bracket 3 is a sleeve10. Encircling said sleeve 10 is a main actuating spring 11. The end 12of the main actuating sleeve is secured to the arm 8 which is fixed tothe shaft 6 carrying the movable electrode. Projecting outwardly fromthe sleeve 10 is an arm 13. The other end of the spring, indicated at14, extends underneath the arm 13. This spring is normally of sufficienttension so as to operate against the arm 13 as an abutment and hold themovable electrode in contact with the fixed electrode.

- Secured to the bracket 3 is a sleeve 16 in which is mounted a bufferspring 17 operating against a plunger 17 serving as an abutment for thearm 13. The position of the plunger 17* may be varied by means of a nut18. This spring 16 is normally of greater tension than the main springwhen the parts are at rest and in the position shown in the drawingsand, therefore, the main spring will operate against the bilifer springas an abutment and hold the electrode closed.

Extending outwardly from the sleeve. 10 is an arm 19. This arm 19 isformed with a projection 20 having a shoulder 21 adapted to be engagedby a trip rod 22. The trip rod 22 is carried by a sliding bar 23 whichis of the usual type. This trip rod 22 engages the shoulder and movesthe sleeve so as to put the main spring under greater tension or storepower therein. Said projection 20 overhangs the shoulder 21 and servesas a means for positively forcing the trip rod out of engagement withthe shoulder so as to release the sleeve and permit the spring toactuate the same. Such mode of operation is very common in this type ofignition generator, and further description thereof is not thoughtnecessary.

Projecting laterally from the arm 19 is a pin 24 on which is mounted asleeve 25 which is rectangular in cross section. Mounted on the armatureshaft 26 is a collar 27 which carries a depending arm 28 terminating ina forked end 29. The distance between the arms of the fork ispractically the same as the diameter of the square sleeve so that saidsleeve fits snugly between the arms of the fork and all lost motion isavoided:

The magneto generator, as above noted, is mounted on a bracket 4. Thisbracket 4 consists of a base section 30 having an outwardly projectingshelf 30' which forms a support for the magneto generator. Extendingupwardly from this base section 30 is a section 31. Said section 31 isformed with openings which are adapted to register with openings in thebracket 3 so that bolts- 34 may be passed through said registeringopenings and into the engine cylinder for securing the two brackets tothe engine. The bracket 4 is formed with lugs 35, 36 and 37 which arebent so as to overlap the bracket 3, see Figs. 1 and 2. These lugsengage the bracket 3 on three sides thereof and serve as a means forpositioning the two bracket sections relative to each other.If,,therefore, the bolt holes in the bracket 4 wear so that there ismore or less looseness between the bolts and the brackets, the bracket 4will not lose its proper relation to the bracket 3 but will be heldfirmly in pre-determined relation thereto by these with the otherbracket in bringing about a pre-determined positioning of the twobrackets relativ to each other.

The overhanging section 31 extends. about i the fixed electrode 1,the'shaft 6, and 'the actuating parts carried thereby. The fixed:

electrode 1 xtends to the. fron of the bracket 3 and is formed with aterminal connection 38 to which a wire 39 leading from the electrode isconnected.

From the above, itwill be noted that all the actuating mechanism for themovable electrodes and also for the armature of the generator arecarried by the bracket 3, so that if the bracket 4 be broken or isremoved or the generator is removed, there is still left a completeself-contained actuating mechanism for the movable electrode so thatbattery ignition may be used in connection therewith.

It is obvious that min-or changes in the details of construction and thearrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention,what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters-Iatent is 1. In an ignition device, a fixed and amovable electrode, a magneto generator having a current generatingmember, a shaft carrying the movable electrode a sleeve freely journaledon said shaft, a spring encircling said shaft and connected at one endto said sleeve, an arm on the end of the shaft to which the other end ofsaid spring is connected, means whereby said sleeve may be turned andreleased for actuation by the spring, and means carried by the sleevefor engaging the arm on said shaft and actuating the current generatingmember.

2. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a magnetogenerator having a current generating member, a shaft carrying themovable electrode, a sleeve freely journaled on said shaft, a springencircling said shaft and connected at one end to said sleeve, an arm onthe end of the shaft to which the other end of said spring is connected,means whereby said sleeve may be turned and released for actuation bythe spring, an arm carried by said sleeve, and a pin projecting fromsaid armand adapted 'to actuate the current generating member and engagethe arm on the shaft for separating the electrodes.

3. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a magnetogenerator having a current generating member, a shaft carrying themovable electrode, a sleeve freely journaled on said shaft, a springencircling said shaft and connected at one end to said sleeve, an arm onthe end of the shaft to which the other end of said spring is connected.mea-nswhereby said sleeve may be turned and released for actuation bythe spring, an arm carried by said sleeve, and a pin projecting fromsaid arm and adapted to actuate the current generating member andengagethe arm on the shaft for separating the electrodes, said pin having asquare sleeve thereon engaging a forked arm carried by the currentgenerating member.

4. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a magnetogenerator having a current generating member, a shaft carrying saidmovable electrode, a sleeve freely ournaled on said shaft, a springsurrounding said sleeve, an arm projecting from said sleeve to which oneend of said spring is connected, an arm on the shaft to which the otherend of the spring is connected, a buffer spring normally of greatertension than the spring surrounding the sleeve and adapted to serve asan abutment for the arm on said sleeve whereby said spring normallyholds the electrodes in engagement, and means whereby said sleeveactuates the current generating member and engages the arm on the shaftfor separating the electrodes when said sleeve is actuated by saidspring surrounding the same.

5. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a magnetogenerator having a current generating member, a shaft carrying saidmovable electrode, a sleeve freely journaled on said shaft, a springsurrounding said sleeve, an arm projecting from said sleeve to which oneend of said spring is connected, an arm on the shaft to which the otherend of the spring is connected, a buffer spring normally of greatertension than the spring surrounding the sleeve and adapted to serve asan abutment for the arm on said sleeve whereby said spring normallyholds the electrodes in engagement, and means whereby said sleeveactuates the current generating member and engages the arm on the shaftfor separating the electrodes when said sleeve is actuated by saidspring surrounding the same, said arm cooperating with the buffer springbeing extended to form a hand lever for moving and releasing the sleeveto produce a spark.

6. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a brackethaving a projection extending inwardly therefrom and supporting saidelectrodes, a shaft journaled in said bracket and projecting andcarrying the movable electrode, said shaft projecting beyond the bracketand having'an arm at the outer end thereof, a sleeve freely journaled onsaid shaft, a. spring surrounding said sleeve and connected at one endto said sleeve, the other end of said spring being connected to saidarm, a magneto'generator having a current generating member, an armcarried thereby, an arm carried by the sleeve and having a projectingpin adapted to engage the arm of the current generating member foractuating the same and adapted to engage the arm on the shaft forseparating the electrodes.

7 In an ignition device, a fixed and movable electrode, a bracket havinga projection extending inwardly therefrom and supporting saidelectrodes, a shaft journaled in said bracket and projection andcarrying the movable electrode, said shaft projecting beyond the bracketand having an arm at the outer end thereof, a sleeve freely journaled onsaid shaft, a spring surrounding sai-d sleeve and connected at one endto said sleeve, the other end of said spring being connectedto said arm,amagneto generatorhaving a current generating member, an arm carriedthereby, an arm carried by the sleeve and having a projecting pinadapted to engage the arm of the current generating member for actuatingthe same and adapted to engage'the arm on the shaft for separating theelectrodes, a buffer spring mounted on said bracket and adapted toengage the arm on the sleeve, said bufier spring being normally ofgreater tension than the spring surrounding the sleeve.

8. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a brackethaving a projection extending inwardly therefrom and supportin saidelectrodes, a shaft journaled in sai bracket and projection and carryingthe movable electrode, said shaft projecting beyond the bracket andhaving an arm at the outer end thereof, a sleeve freely journaled onsaid shaft, a spring surrounding said sleeve and connected at one end tosa d sleeve, the other end of saidspring being connected to said arm, amagneto generator having a current generating member, an arm carriedthereby, an arm carried by the sleeve and I having a projecting pinadapted to engage the arm of the current generating member for actuatingthe same and adapted to engage the arm on the shaft for separating theelectrodes, a buffer spring mounted on said bracket and adapted toengage the arm on the sleeve, said buffer spring being normally ofgreater tension than the spring surrounding the sleeve, said armengaging the buffer spring being extended whereby the same may be movedand released by hand for generating a spark.

9. In an ignition device, a bracket adapted to be attached to the enginecylinder, a movable and a fixed electrode carried thereby, a magnetogenerator having a current generating member, a second bracketsupporting said magneto generator and adapted to be secured against thefirst-named bracket, and means carried by one of said bracketsprojecting toward and overlapping the other bracket for positioning thebrackets relative to each other.

movable and a fixed electrode carried there-.

by, a magneto generator having a current generating member, a secondbracket supporting said magneto generator and adapted to be securedagainst the first-named bracket, and means carried by one of saidbrackets projecting toward and overlapping the other bracket forpositioning the brackets relative to each other, said bracket carryingthe generator being extended about and free from connection with theprojecting electrodes.

11. In an ignition device, a bracket adapted to be attached to theengine cylinder, a movable and a fixed electrode carried thereby, amagneto generator having a current generating member, a secondbracketsupporting said magneto generator and adapted to be se ured against thefirst-named bracket, said bracket for said generator having inwardlyprojecting members adapted to engage the side edges of the bracketcarrying the electrodes for positioning one bracket relative to theother.

12. In an ignition device, a fixed and a movable electrode, a bracketadapted to be attached to the engine, a shaft carrying the movableelectrode, a bearing carried by said bracket for said shaft, said shaftprojecting forwardly from sai-d bracket, a sleeve surrounding saidshaft, 'an arm on the. outer end of the shaft, a spring surrounding thesleeve and connected at one end to said sleeve and at the other end tosaid arm, an arm extending from said sleeve, a bufler spring carried bysaid bracket and adapted to engage said arm, a second arm projectingfrom said sleeve and having a pin adapted to engage the arm on the shaftwhen said sleeve is actuated by the spring, a magneto generator having acurrent enerating member, a bracket carrying sald magneto generator andadapted to engage the first-named bracket and be secured to theengine bythe securing means for said first-named bracket,

an arm carried by the current generating member adapted to be engaged bysaid pin whereby the current generating member is turned in synchronismwith said sleeve, and means independent of the securing means forpositioning the brackets relative to each other.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM GRUNOW.

